Although much work has been done on the Vaqueros and adjacent formations in the Western Transverse Ranges -- both onshore and offshore -- very little has been written concerning the relationship between outcrop and subsurface strata. This paper, along with the paper by Miles and Rigsby (also in this volume) represent the first attempts to remedy this situation.

This paper presents results to date of a work in progress. We have examined one core in detail, have taken and examined isolated samples from two other Capitan cores, and have begun to make interpretations concerning the depositional history, lithostratigraphy, and lateral continuity of the Vaqueros Formation in this and adjacent parts of the basin based on our initial observations. The conclusions presented in this paper must, therefore, be regarded as preliminary. Continued work on this core and on additional cores from Capitan and other fields is anticipated and will contribute to the formulation of a regional depositional model for the upper Oligocene-lower Miocene stratigraphic sequence in this region.